Judge Orders New Trial for Woman Sentenced After Stillbirth
A judge has granted a new trial for Brooke Shoemaker, who was previously convicted of chemical endangerment resulting in the death of her unborn child and sentenced to 18 years in prison. The ruling, based on new evidence presented by Shoemaker’s attorneys, suggests that an infection, rather than drug use, was the cause of the stillbirth. The original conviction, stemming from a 2017 stillbirth and Shoemaker’s admission of methamphetamine use during pregnancy, is now being challenged with expert testimony indicating a genetic abnormality and severe infection contributed to the pregnancy loss. While prosecutors are appealing the decision, Shoemaker remains incarcerated and maintains her innocence, stating that an infection caused the loss of her pregnancy.
John Q. Hosedrinker